Are You Honest With Yourself?

In our kempo-karate class, the Word of the Week recently was "Honesty". Normally, we talk about honesty as it relates to other people: Don't lie. Tell the Truth. Good lessons, but there's another part to it.

Are you being honest with yourself? When it comes to the things you do, do you give them your best effort? In karate, that means "Are you training hard so that you will really deserve that next belt?" In the workplace - "Did you give that task your best effort?" Around the house - "Do you do chores that need doing, without being told to or expecting credit?"

Did you ever turn a blind eye to some annoying chore, hoping that someone else will see it and do it first? If so, then clearly you are doing that other person a disservice. But even worse, you aren't being honest with yourself. Because I'm pretty sure if someone asked if you are kind, considerate and helpful, you would probably sprain your neck nodding your head yes! You would probably even believe it.

If you are honest with yourself, there will be times you don't like what you see. That's okay. In fact, it is a good thing.